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Assistive technologies in reducing caregiver burden among informal caregivers of older adults: a systematic review
- Author:
- MARASINGHE Keshini Madara
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 11(5), 2016, pp.353-360.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Aim: The world population is rapidly ageing. As population age, the incidence of functional limitations increases, demanding higher levels of care from caregivers. Assistive technologies improve individuals’ functioning, independence, well-being and quality of life. By increasing independence of older adults, assistive technologies decrease workloads required from informal caregivers. This review investigates, evaluates, and synthesises existing findings to examine whether and how assistive technologies reduce caregiver burden. Methods: Databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Three groups of keywords were combined: those relating to assistive technology, caregiver burden, and older adults. Results: Two theories emerged from the analysis of study results. Caregivers reported that assistive technologies decrease caregiver burden. However, caregivers had concerns that assistive technologies could add to caregiver burden, highlighting the limitations of assistive technology. Conclusions: As suggested by a majority of the studies in this review, assistive technologies contribute to reducing caregiver burden among caregivers of older adults. Assistive technologies assisted caregivers by reducing time, levels of assistance and energy put towards caregiving, anxiety and fear, task difficulty, safety risk particularly for activities requiring physical assistance and increasing the independence of the users. Further research is required to better understand limitations of assistive technologies. (Publisher abstract)
Carers’ involvement in telecare provision by local councils for older people in England: perspectives of council telecare managers and stakeholders
- Authors:
- STEILS Nicole, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 41(2), 2021, pp.456-475.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper explores telecare manager and other ‘stakeholder’ perspectives on the nature, extent and impact of family and other unpaid/informal carers’ involvement in the provision of telecare equipment and services for older people. Data used in the paper are derived from a larger study on telecare provision by local councils in England. The paper aims to add to the growing evidence about carers’ engagement with electronic assistive technology and telecare, and considers this in the context of typologies of professionals’ engagement with carers. How carers are involved in telecare provision is examined primarily from the perspectives of senior managers responsible for telecare services who responded to an online survey and/or were interviewed in 2016 as part of a wider study. The perspectives of three unpaid carers were captured in a separate strand of the main study, which comprised more detailed case study interviews within four selected councils. Thematic and comparative analysis of both qualitative and quantitative survey data revealed the varied involvements and responsibilities that carers assumed during the telecare provision process, the barriers that they needed to overcome and their integration in local council strategies. Findings are discussed in the context of Twigg and Atkin's typology of carer support. They suggest that carers are mainly perceived as ‘resources’ and involvement is largely taken for granted. There are instances in which carers can be seen as ‘co-workers’: this is mainly around responding to alerts generated by the telecare user or by monitored devices, but only in those councils that fund response services. Though some participants felt that telecare devices could replace or ‘supersede’ hands-on care that involved routine monitoring of health and wellbeing, it was also acknowledged that its use might also place new responsibilities on carers. Furthermore, the study found that meeting carers’ own rights as ‘co-clients’ was little acknowledged. (Edited publisher abstract)
A pilot study on the use of tracking technology: feasibility, acceptability, and benefits for people in early stages of dementia and their informal caregivers
- Authors:
- POT Anne Margriet, WILLEMSE Bernadette M., HORJUS Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(1-2), January 2012, pp.127-134.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Caregivers and clinicians may be confronted with the dilemma whether to allow people in early stages of dementia to go outside independently with the risk of getting lost, or to limit their autonomy and mobility. Newly available technology such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) may offer a solution, allowing the person with dementia to go outside independently while the caregiver is able to monitor their position. This pilot study investigated the impact of a 3-month use of GPS by 33 dyads care receivers and caregivers. The feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness for both the people with dementia and the caregivers were measured using a pre-post test design. Of the 33 dyads of care receivers and caregivers, 28 remained in the study. The majority of the caregivers was able to use the technology and integrate the use into their daily routines and would recommend the use of GPS. Almost half of the participants with dementia experienced more freedom and were less worried when they were outside unaccompanied, a quarter mentioned that they were more outside independently, and a fifth that they had less conflicts with their caregiver after 3 months. Caregivers showed a trend to feel less worried, especially caregivers who could reach their relative using the telephone connection. No changes in caregivers’ feelings of role-overload were found.
An evidence-based adoption of technology model for remote monitoring of elders' daily activities
- Author:
- MAHONEY Diane Feeney
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 36(1), March 2011, pp.66-81.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
A meta-synthesis of adoption of technology related findings from four innovative monitoring intervention research studies with older adults and their informal and/or formal caregivers is presented. Each study employed mixed methods analyses to find out variables that influenced adoption of telephone and Internet based wireless remote monitoring technologies. The studies were conducted in homes ranging from solo residences to multi-story independent living residential buildings. Insights highlighted the complex interplay of family-elder-staff dynamics around balancing safety and independence. Findings resulted in an adoption of technology model for remote monitoring of elders' daily activities derived from evidence based research to advance both practical and theoretical development in the field of gerontechnology.
Electronic tracking for people with dementia who get lost outside the home: a study of the experience of familial carers
- Authors:
- WHITE Eleanor Bantry, MONTGOMERY Paul, MCSHANE Rupert
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(4), April 2010, pp.152-158.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Approximately 40% of people with dementia wander from their home and become lost on at least 1 occasion and 5% repeatedly get lost. Global positioning system (GPS) tracking provides a possible means of locating the lost person with dementia, but throws up several ethical issues. This small study aimed to elicit a description of how GPS tracking is used by familial carers of people with dementia in domestic settings and to generate hypotheses about usage and impact. The sample was recruited through a single commercial GPS device provider. Qualitative interviews with 10 carers were completed to generate an in-depth description of how the devices were used and the perceived impact. The findings showed that most carers preferred to use tracking as a back-up to other strategies of management, particularly supervision by a carer and locked doors. In cases where the carers perceived the risk of harm from getting lost to be low, tracking was used to preserve the independence of the person with dementia. The carers reported that tracking gave them reassurance and also enhanced the sense of independence both for themselves and for the person with dementia. The poor reliability of the device was identified as a substantial limitation. The article concludes that larger studies are needed to assess the safety and clinical value of GPS tracking, and these should explore the views of people with dementia. Assessment tools and occupational therapy support could assist carers in decisions about suitability and usage.
GPS technologies in managing the risks associated with safer walking in people with dementia - a practical perspective
- Authors:
- DUNK Barbara, LONGMAN Brian, NEWTON Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 4(3), September 2010, pp.4-8.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Many people with a cognitive impairment are likely to become lost at some stage of their illness; this can cause great distress to individuals and to their relatives. A range of different GPS location devices has become available recently. Although the technology itself is not complicated, it introduces a number of problems including battery management, device selection and returning the individual when they have become lost. This article describes good practice procedures based on experience of provision of GPS systems in Croydon for people with dementia. Practice procedures were developed relating to: referral; assessment; ethical considerations; integrated processes; review; geo-fences; and response procedures. Following these procedures, the response to the use of GPS by carers has been overwhelmingly positive, with self-reported increased peace of mind, and improved quality of life for both people with dementia and carers.
The potential of technology to ease the care provider's burden
- Author:
- MANN William C.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 25(1), Spring 2001, pp.44-48.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
High technology homecare has been defined as "those in-home methods of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation that are physically embodied in specialised equipment and related supplies and services". This article will discuss several categories of assistive devices that render caregiving physically or emotionally easier, including those that assist with basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, environmental control, and monitoring of health and behaviour.
ASTRID: introducing assistive technology
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 8(4), July 2000, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
This article is abridged from the guide produced by the ASTRID group surveying the current use of assistive technology for people with dementia and their carers, and how it may be developed; it discusses some of the issues with examples.
Co-construction of an internet-based intervention for older assistive technology users and their family caregivers: stakeholders' perceptions
- Authors:
- GELINAS-BRONSARD Dominique, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(6), 2019, pp.602-611.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: Providing care to older adults using assistive technology can be challenging for family caregivers. To inform the development of an Internet-based intervention, this study aimed to identify older assistive technology users and family caregivers’ needs related to assistive technology procurement, and to explore how to offer remote support through an Internet-based intervention. Methods: Based on an iterative user-centered design approach, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders about their experiences with assistive technology procurement/attribution and their perceptions of a proposed intervention. A modified content analysis approach was used, with a mix of emerging and a priori concepts. Results: Participants view assistive technology procurement as an ongoing cyclical process, with potential unmet needs at key moments before and after assistive technology procurement. Assistive technology user-family caregiver dyads needs focus on assistive technology information, access, assistive technology-person-context match, training and support. While participants felt there were benefits to the proposed intervention they also identified potential implementation barriers. Conclusion: Assistive technology Internet-based interventions dedicated to family caregivers should ensure systematic and tailored follow-up while integrating some form of human support. This study guides the prototype design of the proposed intervention towards a graded support approach, empowering assistive technology users and family caregivers to resolve assistive technology-related challenges. (Publisher abstract)
Who should make the decision on the use of GPS for people with dementia?
- Authors:
- LANDAU Ruth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 15(1), January 2011, pp.78-84.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper investigated who should decide about the use of GPS tracking for older people with dementia. Two hundred and ninety six cognitively intact older people, family carers, social workers, professionals, and social work students rated nine potential decision-makers to make this decision. Findings revealed that family members, particularly the spouse or the most involved family carer, were perceived more important in the decision-making process than those outside the family. The person with dementia was ranked third in the order of the figures. Since the decision to use GPS for tracking raises ethical issues over personal safety versus autonomy and privacy, the findings indicate that the reluctance of professional caregivers to assist family caregivers to make this decision is experienced as frustrating. The authors suggest that in order to reach a balance between the wishes and interests of people with dementia and their informal carers, there is a need for active involvement of the professional carers to aid in the decision-making process.